New foundation seeks to improve Windsor's parks

A foundation formed to raise money for Windsor parks and recreation programs is planning a $200,000 expansion of the children's play structure on the Town Green.

With decreased government money for projects, the Windsor Parks and Recreation Foundation was created last year to help fill the gap.

Its motto is "Parks Make Life Better."

A recent donation of $25,000 from the Rotary Club of Windsor coupled with a $15,000 pledge from the Town of Windsor has helped provide momentum for the organization's plan to upgrade the children's play facility.

"These are citizens who are actively involved in improving our town and making it their own," Mayor Debora Fudge said Wednesday. "It's exactly what we hoped would happen when we created the Town Green -- to have people step up.

"I think people will be very happy with their efforts," she added.

"We just this fall got final IRS approval. We haven't been out fundraising until now," foundation president and former mayor Warin Parker said.

Originally, the foundation said its first project would be constructing a public restroom on the Town Green. But the location and design were controversial and also cost about three times as much as the upgrade to the play structure.

Parker said the new project makes sense because "the play structure on the Town Green is woefully inadequate."

He said the goal is to increase the age range of children who use it, whether infants or pre-teen.

Design plans are still being worked out, but he said the idea is to remove wood bark and install a shredded rubberized surface, along with new walkways, benches and a shade structure.

Tonight from 5 to 9 p.m., foundation board members will be at Cafe Noto to meet the public in a type of open house. A slide show is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. to help illustrate some of the plans.

"Between now and the end of March, any adult who contributes $100 or more will be considered a foundation founder," Parker said. "We want to reach out to other service clubs, individuals and businesses to raise the necessary funds so we can build the structure."

You can reach Staff Writer Clark Mason at 521-5214 or clark.mason@pressdemocrat.com.